Plastictiger

I honestly haven't been out to the flight line in a couple of years. I just know there is a goal towards commonality. Flightdeck crews can fly all three jets because the cockpits are the same. The jets are getting more alike, not less. I would think the safety changes would go fleet wide. Still you are a building a jet at point in time. The jet in the photo probably is a fairly recent arrival from depot. It will takes years for those markings to go fleet wide.

It's an RAF thing that's made its way over to US jets. There were a lot safety equipment changes the RAF requested. I assume the changes wouldn't stop with RJ but be adopted fleet wide.

ZM has their own that was made by Red Fox. It looks nice. I got one when it first came out. I don't know where you would find one.

The F-16D should be available at the warehouse in Topeka. Price is $39 with shipping about $14. You order from Lucky Model and when paying you select UPS shipping ($14 or so) option. Your tub will arrive shortly in 3-5 days. It's a little convoluted process. If it won't take the UPS option it's because the kit is not available in Topeka. There's no list of what's in stock in Topeka that I know of. That would be too easy.

The Texas boxing is Block 30 so it will come an extra tree that has the big mouth intake and the F110 engine. Same tree is in the D model kit. Every kit has the NSI intake and F100 so with this boxing and the D you get both.

I can't comment on the entire history of the F-4G or the AGM-78. I was an EWO for 27 years. I did not fly F-4Gs. I had regular interactions with my fellow EWOs and Navs across the spectrum.

By the late 80's the AGM-78s were only in PACAF I believe. The casing were leaking. Many crews said if they were forced to carry 78s they would jettison them rather than taking a chance. AGM-45s were deployed to DESERT STORM. The crews didn't like them, but were forced to expend them... If you want a good book on F-4Gs in DESERT STORM I recommend MAGNUM. A pilot kept a journal all through Shield and Storm and turned it into a book.

That because you still need the white top help keep the jet cool.

There have been many changes to the RC-135 since the RAF joined the program. One area is emergency equipment. There's a big effort to keep all the jets the same so what good for one is good for all.

Omaha is bidding this year for 2021. Easy drive from the Great Lakes.

Congrats to San Marcos Texas. Omaha will be bidding to host the Nationals here July 7-10 2021. We had flyers at Phoenix with a different date but the Hotel just asked us to change. We will present our bid in Chattanooga. We look forward to visiting with folks during a the great conventions to come in the Volunteer and Lone Star states.

Sorry to hear that. I have several t-shirts from that shop and have had no problems with any of them. Send me an email Scott.hackney@cox.net. I've got to go over there today and order some shirts and I'll ask them about it. Scott

Spoke to the Tamiya Rep at the IPMS Nationals. The F-14 comes to America first he said so I'm not sure the Lucky or HLJ preorders are the best option.

You are on the right track. No one has kept up with the FMS Vipers, especially in the Middle East. Everyone has a good list started. The Morrocan jets are way cool.

Looks great. I look forward to the sheet. I was surprised in the photos I saw their were roundels on the wings so I assume there would be underwing markings as well. The top side color will be tough to match.